PDIP Yogyakarta Commemorates Kudatuli, Eko Suwanto Highlights Democratic Struggle
The DPC of PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) for Yogyakarta City commemorated 30 years since the Kudatuli incident (the 27 July 1996 riots) with a reflection event at the PDIP Yogyakarta City DPC office. The occasion was used to recall Indonesia’s democratic journey whilst reaffirming the party’s commitment to fighting for the welfare of the people.
Eko Suwanto, Chairman of the PDIP Yogyakarta City DPC, said the Kudatuli incident serves as a reminder of the authoritarian practices that once occurred in Indonesia, speaking at the event held on Monday evening (27 July).
“The events of 27 July 1996 were a clear demonstration of the New Order regime’s suppression of human rights and democracy through the attack on the office of PDI Pro Mega at the time,” Eko said in a written statement on Tuesday (28 July 2026).
According to Eko, although three decades have passed, challenges to democracy continue to emerge. For that reason, the struggle to defend human rights and strengthen democracy remains as relevant today as ever.
“The struggle to defend human rights and build democracy for the people’s interests remains entirely relevant work for us to carry out,” he said.
He invited all cadres, from the DPC and PAC levels down to the branches, to draw on the spirit of Kudatuli as a foundation for strengthening democracy by boosting public participation and preventing all forms of human rights violations.
Eko assessed that PDIP Yogyakarta City possesses a complete set of political assets, ranging from the party structure and its faction in the Yogyakarta City Regional Council (DPRD) to leadership within the Yogyakarta City Government. According to him, this position must be used to deliver policies that side with the people.
“PDI Perjuangan’s commitment is clear: to bring about policies that side with the people. The mandate of the Kudatuli struggle must be realised by resisting all forms of oppression and bringing happiness to the people’s hearts through tangible programmes,” he said.
On that occasion, Eko also set out five priorities being pursued together with the Yogyakarta City Government. The five programmes comprise tackling unemployment and poverty, accelerating the reduction of stunting, resolving waste management issues, improving transport and traffic engineering, and providing decent housing through the House Renovation (Bedah Rumah) programme.
“Our commitment is to fight for democracy one hundred per cent for the welfare of the people and one hundred per cent to bring happiness to their hearts,” he concluded.
The 30th anniversary commemoration of Kudatuli brought to a close a series of events marking PDIP’s anniversary in Yogyakarta City. Previously, the PDIP Yogyakarta City DPC held a number of activities, including health checks for the elderly, tree planting, disaster response simulations, and the inauguration of branch officials in the Taman Legawong area on the banks of the Gajahwong River. The event was also attended by Wisnu Sabdonoputro, Secretary of the PDIP Yogyakarta City DPC, and RB Dwi Wahyu Budiantoro, a representative of the PDIP DIY provincial board (DPD).